Cardinal Joachim Meisner, one of the four ‘dubia’ cardinals, has died aged 83

Cardinal Meisner, who was Archbishop of Cologne for 25 years, was one of the four cardinals who submitted the 'dubia' to Pope Francis

Senior German cardinal and former Archbishop of Cologne Cardinal Joachim Meisner has died at the age of 83.

Cardinal Meisner served as Archbishop of Cologne for 25 years. A spokesman for the archdiocese said he died on Wednesday morning while on vacation in Bad Füssing.

The cardinal was one of four – along with Cardinals Carlo Caffarra, Walter Brandmüller and Raymond Leo Burke – who presented the ‘dubia’ to Pope Francis asking him to clear up controversies surrounding Amoris Laetitia.

Last month, it was revealed the four cardinals had subsequently sought an audience with the Pope after he failed to answer their questions, but again did not receive a response.

In a statement on Wednesday, Pope Francis said he had learnt of Cardinal Meisner’s death with “great sadness”.

“With deep faith and sincere love for the Church, Cardinal Meisner was dedicated to proclaiming the Good News,” the Pope said.